upgrade Seattle 300TD audio - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Niloc · #1 02-13-2006, 09:32 PM

Well folks I'm getting around to upgrading the stereo in my '85 300TD and I would love to find a reputable shop to take care of it. My research tells me that these are tricky cars to find replacement speakers that fit well and sound decent.

Someone had recommended innovative audio in Bellevue but they seem to have gone out of business.

Here's what I'm looking for:

iPod compatible head unit - no goofy patches, I want to be able to control the iPod through the head.

New speakers all around, largest possible size that will still fit under the covers. MB Quart sound like a possible match.

Possibly a sub in the back, but it can't interfere with the cargo area and folding down the seats. Has anyone put one in the middle of the spare tire? What about a bazooka tube?

Any input appreciated - Colin

luvthe111 · #2 02-18-2006, 02:39 AM

I installed a 6 1/2 bazooka tube in the back of my 87 TD using velcro to hold it in place. Its located between the seatbacks of the second and third row seats. I used extra wire so that I can move it around when i need extra cargo room. The bass it provides is not bad, but probably not good enough for an audiophile, but for regular listening, it fills the low end really well. And if you get a decent head-unit with built in customizable EQ w/separate Sub output, you can control it nicely as well.

Lots of the major brand headunits like Alpine or JVC now have adapters that will allow you to control the ipod as well (vs just a passive aux input). With Innovative out of business, I would probably go any small independent car audio shop as the sales guys there usually know their stuff and can show you the different head units and how they control the iPod. I've also had OK experience at both Magnolia and Car Toys for simple head-unit purchases and installs but I wouldn't trust them on anything custom.

nappy nate · #3 02-18-2006, 11:34 AM

Quality car stereo install is so hit and miss, thats why I only let me do it on my cars these days. The best job I've had done from a shop was at 'car stereo plus' near the Tacoma mall. I got lucky on that one the head installer had been doing it for over twenty years and I learned alot that day. That was over ten years ago unfortunatly. A nice job that I was pround of for the eight more years that I owned the car. If i was looking for an installer now I think I would troll around and look for the oldest one I could find. Sorry kids. Bummer to hear about inovative audio, that was a nice reputable shop that I would have trusted. They seem to carry the best of the best where other shops have the lower end of each brand including MBQuart.

good luck

nate

Niloc · #4 02-20-2006, 01:57 PM

Thanks for the replies guys.

I'm considered doing it myself, but I really have no experience with car electonics and I have enough other DIY projects on this car already (not to mention the rest of my life) that I'm hoping to find a pro to do this.

Luv111 a velcro setup sounds smart, or perhaps so kind of custom strap like might be used to hold a fire extinguisher in place might work. I don't have the third row seat. I see you once owned the same car as me, do you have any other recommendations for audio?

I'm thinking of doing a component system with 4" mids replacing the dash speakers, tweeters mounted on top in the corner of the window pointing in, and then the largest woofers I can get away with in the doors. The woofers are obviously the trickiest part and modifying my doors would be difficult. I was wondering about putting them in the rear doors, lower front corner, and getting rid of the ashtrays. I have to get into my rear doors anyways to repair check straps, windows and vacuum elements.

-Colin

boneheaddoctor · #5 02-20-2006, 07:28 PM

I love the MB Quart speakers in mine...for bass Until I get motivated and mount a pair of 10" subs in a custom rear deck I am going to make I have a 8" powered Bazooka on the rear floor.

luvthe111 · #6 02-21-2006, 01:35 AM

In my old w123 wagon, I just had the stock stereo...but the challenges are similar with the w124 wagon except that the rear speakers are hidden in the ceiling by the rear hatch on the earlier wagons, while on my 87, the rear speakers are in the armrests of the rear doors.

I don't know if its worth the trouble trying to custom fit a larger driver in the doors if you plan to use a subwoofer. For the easiest upgrade, I would just replace the 4 speakers with any decent model that will fit in the stock locations (in my case, I just used 4" pioneers). Get a good headunit that will allow you to bypass the low frequencies to these speakers, and has a separate output and control for the subwoofer and has separate eq controls.

This setup along with a powered sub provides a nice upgrade with a relative straightforward installation that even the young guys at CarToys could manage.

The only thing I would have changed was to wire and mount my subwoofer from the drivers side. When I need more cargo space, I usually only need to fold down the passenger side seatback (the 40 of the 60/40), but since I mounted my subwoofer on that side, I have to move it every time. Also, if you are not trying to tuck it between the second and third row seatbacks, then I would also consider the 8" version of the bazooka which should give you a cleaner low end compared to the 6.5" version that I have.

aersloat · #7 02-23-2006, 01:07 AM

Take a look at the new (2006) Alpine head units that have the Full Speed interface. I just put a CDE-9852 into my 87 300TDT and it is quite nice. This was the cheapest of the group. The nice part is no separate adaptor is needed. There is a $30 cable to buy which is a direct hook up from the alpine to the ipod. The ipod control is very good and well integrated. Not all shops have the 2006 units yet. My local car toys did not. I think that Best Buy did. I got mine from Crutchfield. Installation in the W124 was not as smooth or easy as it usually is from Crutchfield as bypassing the console mounted fader was a bit of a pain just due to not having the wiring diagrams handy.

Anyway, if you want iPod integration Alpine's Full Speed is best of class right now.

Bigpete123 · #8 03-10-2006, 07:55 PM

Sorry, late addition to this thread. Innovative Audio is in fact out of business. I've worked with them a lot and they did amazing stuff. The 2 owners had a disagreement, so they dissolved the partnership.

However, one of the owners opened up a new shop called Benchmark Motoring. It's in the same area. They do some truly remarkable installations. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny. If you go, talk to Hugo. He's a good guy.